Cupid to the Rescue: A Tail-Wagging Valentine's Day Anthology

by Lisa Mondello

  "Oh, Mr. Beck—"

  He held up the makeup wipe.

  "Marsali, do you like it?"

  "It's… a bit much. I don't look like myself."

  He held out the wipe for her to take, and she bit her lip, glancing up at Dianne because she didn't want to hurt the woman's feelings.

  Oliver seemed to understand her hesitation, because he leaned forward and swiped the wet cloth across her cheek, earning a loud moan from the woman.

  "Dianne, Marsali has the most gorgeous freckles I've ever seen. They’re sweet and insanely sexy, and I can't see a one of them," Oliver murmured. He tossed the first towel in the trash and pulled another from the box, gently swiping it across her other cheek and then her nose. "She is naturally beautiful and needs very little foundation."

  "I… understand, Mr. Beck. I'll keep her as natural as possible."

  Marsali stared at him, tears in her eyes because… this was her Ollie, protecting her, looking out for her. Her heart broke open a bit more, the crack filling with more love because he understood her so well and knew she hated being caked with makeup and unable to even touch her face for fear of leaving a streak behind.

  Oliver continued to wash her face but left the eye shadow on her eyes. When he finished, her freckles and face were bare.

  Marsali looked in the mirror once more and swallowed hard, her attention shifting to the doorway behind her when movement caught her notice.

  Rikki stood watching, listening, an indiscernible expression on her very Hollywood-esque face while Oliver thanked the makeup artist for her willingness to start over.

  Marsali watched as Rikki stepped back into the hallway and disappeared. Marsali sighed, her stomach taut, because in that moment, however innocently, she knew she'd made another frenemy.

  The Matchmaker’s Secret: Chapter 16

  Oliver was in the process of pulling on his tuxedo shirt when Rikki barged into his bedroom minutes later. "Seriously? You ever hear of knocking?"

  "Oh, please, like I haven't seen it before. Besides, what did you expect after that stunt earlier?"

  "What stunt?"

  "You do realize how important it is to maintain the right image, don't you? I mean, it's only been the one thing I've been working to achieve for you these last ten years."

  "What does Marsali's makeup have to do with my image?"

  "More than you'd think. Not to mention the fact that you undermined me. Again."

  He yanked on the edges of his shirt and focused on fastening the buttons. "Yeah, well, I don't agree with some of your dictates. You're my agent, but that doesn't give you total control over my life—or someone I date. Especially micro-managing something like her makeup."

  "Actually, it does. What did I tell you from the beginning? If you want to succeed in Hollywood, you do what I say, when I say, and you trust that it's for your best. Whoever you date? It's expected they fit the image we've worked so hard to achieve."

  He finished fastening most of the buttons and went to work on the sleeves. "When you took me on as a kid fresh out of college, I needed that kind of help, but that isn't the case now. I think I've more than proven myself—and learned quite a bit in the process."

  Rikki's lips pursed and she glared at him.

  "We've come too far for you to let some girl mess with the plan."

  Anger filled him and he struggled to maintain his cool. "Marsali isn't just some girl."

  "No, no, no," Rikki said, closing her eyes as she rolled her head back on her neck. "Do you hear yourself? Where is my superstar? My marketable bachelor? Hollywood's hottest? What are you doing right now?"

  "I'm living my life. What good is it to work as hard as I do if I'm not allowed to enjoy the fruits of it? Be with who I want to be with?"

  Rikki's expression soured even more.

  "Your career is still on the upswing, Oliver, but a large part of that is because of your single status and the very careful plan I put into place to get you where we agreed you have the potential to go. That hometown girl in there is not part of that plan."

  "That's where you're wrong. She's been a part of my life all along. You just haven't kept up to speed."

  "You're letting sentiment get the best of you. You can do so much better, Oliver. What about Eva? Her career is as hot as yours. You look delicious together. You two are made for each—"

  Rikki broke off abruptly and Oliver turned to find Marsali standing in the open doorway to his bedroom.

  The air left his lungs in a rush due to the expression on her face. How long had she been there?

  Too long.

  "Rikki, we're done here."

  "Oliver—"

  "You need to go get ready for tonight." He turned to look at his agent and wondered if his frustration with her was simply coming to a head after a year or so of building or if it had to do with Rikki's comments on Marsali alone. Either way, he wanted her gone.

  "Fine. I'll see you there," Rikki said as she brushed by Marsali without a word and stalked out the door on her four-inch heels.

  Oliver moved toward Marsali, stopping when he stood bare toes to her slippered feet. The makeup artist had outdone herself this time. Marsali's freckles were visible, her eyes looked huge and even more beautiful, and her lips invited thoughts he struggled to control. "Wow."

  Marsali tilted her head to one side as she stared up at him.

  "I take it you approve this time?"

  "You looked amazing before, don't get me wrong. But now? You take my breath away. The only problem is I want to kiss you and I can't or I'll muss you."

  Marsali was quiet a moment, and Oliver could see the wheels cranking behind her eyes and knew Rikki was the source. "Marsali, whatever you heard, ignore it. Please?"

  "That's kind of hard to do when your agent doesn't like me. Or that I'm here."

  He knew platitudes wouldn't cut it and decided to be straightforward. "This is my life, not hers."

  "But if I'm bad for your career…"

  "Ignore everything she said. I mean it. Rikki and I haven't been seeing eye to eye on a lot of things lately. She's overstepping on a multitude of levels she doesn't get a say in."

  "If you say so."

  "I do." His gaze lowered to take in the robe she wore. "You wearing that to the premiere?"

  She lifted a perfectly groomed eyebrow high and smiled. "It's awfully comfortable. What would you say if I did?"

  "I say we start a new trend."

  "Ah, I bet Rikki would have lots to say about that. Actually, I came to make sure I passed the test before I got into my gown."

  "There is no test, sweetheart. Do you feel more comfortable?"

  She wrinkled her nose, a wry expression flickering over her face.

  "The makeup earlier was… a lot. This is definitely better."

  He ran his knuckles lightly over her cheek, his gaze following. "You have no idea how much I want to kiss every freckle you have. I didn't like not being able to see them."

  As he knew it would, her face flushed with rosy color and he grinned, loving that he could elicit that kind of immediate response from her.

  "I-I should go get dressed."

  "Is Dianne still here?"

  "Yes. She's waiting for me to come back with the okay before she leaves."

  "Good," he said. "That means she can fix your lipstick when I'm done."

  MANY HOURS LATER, Marsali was in the ladies’ room wondering how women in the old days ever managed to go to the bathroom when it meant battling yards of material.

  Still, she'd never forget the moment when she'd appeared in the living room earlier. She'd known the gown was flattering but doubts had still crept in—until she'd seen Oliver's face. If he'd told her once how beautiful, stunning, and sexy she looked, he'd told her a dozen times.

  And the long necklace worn backwards with its teardrop diamond dangling down her back had prompted a murmur of how he'd have to buy the piece just to see her wear it and nothing else. Her face had exploded with color, earning a lo
w chuckle from him. But in that moment, she’d wanted the same thing, to have that intimacy with Oliver and a future and kids and all of the romance possible when two people just got each other.

  The premiere had gone well. They'd arrived to a slew of camera flashes and screams and requests for photos, and Oliver had kept a firm hold of her waist so that she couldn't escape the attention being lavished on them. He'd even made a show of kissing her when requested, though the kiss was light and careful of her lipstick, unlike before.

  But all the while, Marsali was aware that Rikki had stood nearby, looking super sexy in a bright red gown that was everything Marsali's wasn't.

  Eva was there as well. The actress had chosen a super-short gown in dark plum that showcased her long legs in high stilettos, and with her straight dark hair and perfect face, Marsali could see why Rikki and anyone would think Eva and Oliver to be well paired. Their height, gorgeous looks, and similar careers would be enough to make Marsali believe they'd share enough commonalities that could easily form a power couple.

  Marsali left the bathroom stall and washed her hands before opening her bag to reapply the lip stain and gloss the makeup artist had given her. The bathroom door opened and Eva appeared as though conjured by her thoughts.

  The woman moved to the mirrors where Marsali stood and removed a small compact.

  "Eva, you were great in the movie. I totally bought you as a forensic scientist." Kill 'em with kindness. That's what her dad had always said.

  The woman gave Marsali a slight smile and turned, leaning against the counter. She crossed one ankle over the other, and the pose left Marsali feeling short and frumpy in her layers of gown.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Pardon?" Marsali asked.

  "With Oliver. What are you doing? Do you really think you can have something with him? Fit into his life?"

  Marsali stiffened, surprised by the woman's direct attack. "I don't see how it's any of your business. And Oliver and I have been friends a very long time."

  "Not what I asked. But that statement is just more proof you're using him to better your career."

  "Eva—"

  "You have nothing to offer him. Nothing that can help him. The only thing you're going to do is hold him back."

  "Considering Oliver is a smart, successful actor, I don't see how that's possible—or any of your concern."

  "Oh, but it is," Evangeline said as she turned to leave. "Oliver is very much my concern."

  Evangeline left and Marsali pressed her hand to her stomach to fight off the wave of nerves and anxiety bombarding her.

  The way Eva had made her parting comment… Maybe Eva and Oliver had been something more than costars, but that was the past, right? She couldn’t hold the past against him so long as that relationship was over.

  But the last thing she'd ever want to do was hurt Oliver or damage his career, and she'd seen the way everyone looked at her tonight. The curiosity, the judgment. Eva was right about that. People found her lacking, and even though she was a big girl and knew not to let their opinions bother her, they did. How could they not?

  No one wanted to be where they weren't welcome.

  She made her way out of the ladies’ room and snagged a glass of champagne from a strolling waiter. Across the room, Eva and Oliver posed for photos, looking very chic and gorgeous together, just like they had in the movie when they were running from bad guys and sharing heated, rip-their-clothes-off scenes before the screen faded to black. Had those scenes carried over to real life? Was that why Eva and Rikki were both so upset by her presence?

  As she stood watching Oliver with Eva, Marsali noticed something about them. The… familiarity. She supposed after filming together for months it was natural but… Now she wondered and jealousy stabbed hard.

  Marsali watched Eva cozy up to Oliver. His arm was around her tiny waist in a perfectly respectable place, but Eva had an arm around his waist and another tucked at his chest.

  The air left Marsali's lungs in a gush that sounded way too loud. Thankfully no one stood close enough to hear. She turned away from the sight of them, unable to cope with the gut-wrenching awareness settling deep within her at the pose and what it suggested.

  This was Hollywood. Sex was as common as people changing clothes. Oliver had a life before her on-air blunder, and he had a life and career that involved kissing gorgeous, half-naked women.

  The question that remained… could she handle watching it happen?

  The Matchmaker’s Secret: Chapter 17

  Valentine's Day. Oliver couldn't remember the last time he'd actually had a significant other on Valentine's Day, which was why he might have gone a little overboard. He smiled because it wouldn't be the last.

  "Where are we going?" she asked.

  "I thought you liked surprises."

  "I do but you can't blame me for being curious."

  He glanced across the interior of his tricked-out Jeep, loving the look of her with the wind in her hair and her freckles calling to him.

  The premiere had gone well but it had been a long night. And after way too many hours of posing for the camera, doing interviews, and schmoozing with those who could make or break his career with a single phone call, he'd sensed a growing tension in Marsali that hadn't abated.

  The after-party was held in the ballroom of Marsali's hotel—another bit of Rikki's careful planning he'd bet—and several hours in, Marsali had excused herself, citing jet lag. Leaving her at her hotel room door last night had been difficult, but he'd managed, all the while wondering how he could convince her to cancel her flight back to North Carolina and stay with him. He hadn't wanted to return to the party afterward, not without Marsali at his side.

  "So, where are we going again?" Marsali asked for the tenth time.

  He reached over and grasped her hand in his, lifting it to his lips to kiss. "I asked a favor from a friend. Did you enjoy last night? You left kind of early."

  Marsali shifted toward him on the seat. "You needed some time without me. But, yeah, I enjoyed it. It was fun getting dressed up, though I think my dress wasn't the norm."

  "You were gorgeous. It was perfect."

  "I forgot to tell you that the movie was okay."

  He glanced at her to find her shooting him an ornery grin. "Brat."

  "Hey, last night was plenty of proof that you do not need me feeding your ego. You have way too many minions for that."

  Oliver shook his head, knowing she was right and appreciating the fact that she was a straight shooter. "True enough."

  "Oh. Wow."

  He smiled when he realized Marsali hadn't been paying attention and was only now aware they'd made it to the 101. The Pacific Ocean stretched out to his left but his focus was on the road and Marsali.

  "That is so beautiful."

  He smiled at her and cranked up the radio. With the top pushed back on the Jeep and tunes blasting, he drove them toward Malibu.

  They made a few stops along the way, pulling into spots for photo ops and shops he was familiar with. Finally they reached their destination, and he grabbed the picnic basket he'd snuck into the Jeep while she'd tried on hats to help control her curls in the wind.

  "That was not there when we left this morning."

  He grinned at her excitement. "I called ahead and got it while you were distracted. Grab that blanket."

  "You've thought of everything."

  "Hey, I'm romancing a matchmaker. I have to bring my A-game."

  "I don't know. Rikki and Eva would argue that need. They say we're… too different."

  "They said that to you? When?" Anger filled him, and even though he knew Rikki was upset, he couldn't believe Eva had jumped into the fray.

  "It doesn't matter."

  "It does." He wrapped his arm around her neck and tugged her close for a kiss. "Because they're wrong. You hear me?"

  MARSALI STILL BATTLED her thoughts as she leaned back against Oliver's chest a while later and stared at the waves coming in. He coul
dn't have planned a better date for them. And with hats and sunglasses and hoodies, they blended in with the others on the beach just enjoying the day.

  "What are you thinking about?"

  She turned her head into the press of his lips. They landed at her temple. "Just wishing we could stay in the bubble. I saw that frown on your face when you checked messages earlier. Bad news?"

  "No. Good news. As soon as we get back, I have to take a look at a script and make a decision soon about a role. Rikki's been negotiating terms, and I guess the production company isn't giving her any problems."

  She leaned her head back and stared up at him. "Did you ever think when you were a kid that you'd be where you are now?"

  His arms tightened around her and he nuzzled her neck.

  "I never thought I'd be here with you. And I am so glad I am."

  Sweet. Oliver always said something sweet, and each and every time, her heart cracked open a bit more despite the fear wanting to snap it shut. "Me, either. Is it… weird for you?"

  "Not at all. You?"

  She bit her lower lip and shook her head, because when she was with him like this, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world. Wasn't that all that mattered? "So tell me about this part."

  "I don't know much about it. Supposed to be big, though. Best move I can make, according to Rikki."

  "Where, um, will you be filming?"

  He chuckled softly. "Can't tell you that either. Rikki let me know the script was delivered after we left today, so it's waiting on me to look over. The production company wants to start filming right away, though."

  With his words, the bubble burst. Her job, her life, and family, were in Wilmington, and who knew where Oliver would wind up filming. It meant the upcoming weeks would be spent apart, and even though they'd only just gotten together in the last few weeks, it wasn't something she looked forward to. Relationships were hard enough without tossing distance into the mix.